The transparent splints (so called aligners) have to wear 24 hours a day. Because the splint exactly fits to the teeth, thus for outside observer it is invisible. One splint has to wear 2 weeks, except the meals, always, constantly, for 24 hours. After 2 weeks the next splint is coming, which moves further the teeth, and so on. So each splint is actually a “snapshot” about the planned status of the treatment. The patient puts into and removes individually the appliance, and he/she has to clean them after every meal, because this is the only way to ensure the proper oral hygiene. While eating and brushing the teeth obviously the appliance(s) must be removed from the mouth.
We prepare the Invisalign appliance based on computer aided design.
Our orthodontist takes a very precise silicone impression from the denture, and then forwards it to the U.S. company with the patient’s pictures and x-ray together. We digitalize the impressions. Based on our orthodontist’s treatment plan the Invisalign company makes a tooth movement plan, which is a three dimensional, for the doctor it is a downloadable animation from the internet (visual treatment plan), presents step by step how will the tooth moving from the beginning of the treatment to the end. On this the doctor may make changes of course, according to his/her and/or the patient’s needs, and the companies’ technicians prepare the desired changes on the virtual plan. If the tooth movement virtual plan is final, to the doctor’s indication on the internet they produce all of the splints in advance, then deliver it and the treatment can begin, the whole procedure lasts 2-3 months. This appliance system has some limitations, because not all tooth movement can be prepared with it, thus mostly at the simpler orthodontics differences can be used. In order to the successful treatment, because it is a removable device, from the patient’s part very large cooperation is needed! The appliance system requires a few (4-7) days routine.
Invisalign’s use and cleaning
During cleaning the appliance at least once a day with toothbrush and tooth paste (in the hand!) have to wash it thoroughly (if required, can be several times), and should be clean at least once a week for removable orthodontic appliance or for prosthesis available with effervescent tablets solution, in which should be put in for a couple of hours the appliance(s) (one glass of water, one tablet put into and left it in for a few hours). During eating or drinking the appliance should be removed from the mouth (water you can drink with it).After eating every time must wash the teeth and then may put it back into the mouth.
In that case if any problem occurs with the wearing of the appliance (breaks, traces, punctures, cuts, can’t apply it, specifically hurts one tooth, etc.), contact your doctor immediately!
Otherwise, the teeth and the bite back movement may occur, and in the case of serious tooth back movement new aligners should be made!
Control and arch changes during using the Invisalign
During the treatment the controls and the actual aligners transfer happens on a monthly basis.
